What is said to be the world's largest dedicated facilities management event will return to Birmingham's NEC in May 2013. Facilities Show 2013 will run from 14th - 16th May in association with the British Institute of Facilities Managementd. The annual flagship event hosts a plethora of free educational content that includes the CPD Seminar Theatre, Facilities Show Seminar Theatre and the Energy Solutions Theatre.

The free educational content will provide panel sessions, seminars and lively debates across the three days that will tackle the issues and challenges faced by those working within the FM sector. The newly named Energy Solutions Theatre will be rejuvenated in 2013 and will address the growing needs for FM practitioners within the fields of sustainability, renewables and energy consumption.

The Energy Solutions Theatre will build on the success of the Energy Solutions exhibition in October, which co-located with The FM Event. The highly-regarded educational content across the two days included Lord Sebastian Coe KBE as a keynote speaker along with Malcolm Anderson, Environmental Adviser, National Trust and Paul van Heyningen, Head of Sustainability & Estates, Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), amongst many others.

The Networking Hub, which made its debut at this year's FM Event, will launch at the Facilities Show 2013, hosting breakfast, lunch and afternoon briefings for a select group of high-level delegates. Working with leading industry associations, such as BIFM and key players within the FM community, it will provide facilitated networking sessions that will tackle some of the hot topics within the sector. 2013 will see an increase in the size and scope of The Networking Hub, which will run across the three days and bring together FMs from across the industry.

"The impressive growth of Facilities Show in 2012 means we are in a really strong position for 2013; following the encouraging feedback from both our May and October Shows we intend to grow the event once again," says Fergus Bird, Event Manager for Facilities Show. "We will continue to work with the entire FM industry to build an event that addresses the important topics, showcases the latest products and services and provides premium networking opportunities for all.

"The evolving role of facilities means that it is important for the industry to be able to come together to share best practice, get updates on the latest legislation and keep abreast of the newest developments."

Providing a unique event for the industry, the 2012 Facilities Show saw all aspects of FM covered, including FM solutions, business continuity, leadership and strategy, operations, environmental sustainability, finance, technology and best practice and more than 300 exhibitors showcased the very best from waste management, energy solutions, Winter maintenance and environmental services, to office management, fire solutions and managed services.

The 2013 event will again bring together Facilities, Estate and Property Managers with suppliers from across the full spectrum of the FM supply chain. The launch last year of the FMA Village proved to be a huge draw for visitors and this will return, with representatives from some of the industry's biggest names. In 2012 experts from Compass Group, MITIE Client Services, Norland Managed Services, ETDE and SGP Property & Facilities Management amongst others were on hand throughout the show to help FMs discuss their strategy and future plans and explore the 'one-stop-shop' option.

Facilities Show 2013 builds on the phenomenal growth of this year which saw an increase of 26.8% in visitor numbers.

As part of Protection & Management Week, which welcomed 26,853 pure visitors in 2012, the Facilities Show 2013 will be co-located with the leading annual safety and health event, Safety & Health Expo and the world's largest annual security event, IFSEC. In 2013 the leading event for professionals involved in fire protection, prevention and detection - FIREX International - will also be co-located.

The Facilities Show has now become a must attend event for anyone in the profession. To find out more or book a stand at this rapidly growing event: